Clinical Nurse Specialist (Addictions)

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HCAS included

Job summary

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist (Addictions) to deliver compassionate, evidence‑based nursing care to individuals with drug and alcohol dependency in a busy NHS setting. The post supports opioid substitution treatment, harm reduction and recovery within a multidisciplinary team.

The role requires RN/RMN registration with post‑registration MH/substance misuse training, excellent communication and strong risk assessment skills, and will

Qualifications

• RGN or RMN registration with post‑registration training in mental health and substance misuse.
• Evidence of completing preceptorship or ongoing personal development in care, assessment and treatment.
• Experience in risk assessments and risk management, care planning.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive nursing assessments and develop individualised care plans.
• Support opioid substitution treatment (OST), monitor progress and ensure safe medication management.
• Provide harm reduction interventions including naloxone training, overdose prevention, BBV screening and safer substance use guidance.
• Coordinate with GPs, doctors, recovery practitioners and partner agencies for continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate clinical records, participate in governance, and adhere to safeguarding procedures and NMC standards.
• Monitor clients' health and identify clinical concerns, escalating appropriately.
• Safeguarding and risk management duties, responding to deterioration and protecting clients or others.

Skills

Good communication

Autonomous working

Harm minimisation

IT literate (Word)

Empathy and care

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Equal and diversity understanding

Education

RGN/RMN registration with post‑registration MH/substance misuse training

Preceptorship or ongoing professional development

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Addictions)

The closing date is 24 November 2026

To provide safe, effective and person-centred nursing care to individuals experiencing drug and alcohol dependency. The Band 5 Substance Misuse Nurse will undertake clinical assessments, support treatment and medication management, deliver harm reduction interventions, coordinate care and promote recovery while ensuring compliance with professional standards and clinical governance requirements

Main duties of the job

• Clinical Assessment: Undertake comprehensive nursing assessments, identify health needs and develop individualised care plans.
• 2. Treatment and Medication Management: Support OST delivery, monitor treatment effectiveness and ensure safe medication management.
• 3. Harm Reduction: Provide health education, overdose prevention, naloxone training, BBV screening and alcohol detoxification support.
• 4. Care Coordination: Work collaboratively with GPs, doctors, recovery practitioners and partner agencies to ensure continuity of care.
• 5. Clinical Governance and Documentation: Maintain accurate clinical records, undertake risk assessments, follow safeguarding procedures and comply with NMC standards.

About us

CNWL Addictions is a well-established NHS provider offering a wide range of high-quality drug and alcohol treatment interventions to the diverse and multicultural population across Ealing, Brent, Hillingdon, Hackney, and Hounslow. In addition, we also have the tri-borough Club Drug Clinic as well as our National Problem Gambling Service.

The service is committed to a harm minimisation philosophy and to partnership working. Our main partners are primary care services, social and the third sector.

Treatments are provided across all our clinical centres. Clinical Governance framework is well established, and the service prides itself on its continuous development towards becoming a learning organisation.

Job responsibilities

To provide safe, effective and compassionate nursing care to individuals experiencing drug and alcohol dependency. The post holder will undertake clinical assessments, support treatment interventions, promote harm reduction and work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to improve clients' health, wellbeing and recovery outcomes.

Main Responsibilities

• 1. Clinical Assessment and Care Planning: Undertake comprehensive nursing assessments, identify health needs, assess risks and develop individualised care plans.
• 2. Treatment and Medication Management: Support opioid substitution treatment (OST), monitor clients' progress and ensure safe medication management in line with clinical protocols.
• 3. Harm Reduction and Health Promotion: Deliver harm reduction interventions, including naloxone training, overdose prevention, BBV screening and safer drug and alcohol advice.
• 4. Care Coordination: Work closely with doctors, GPs, recovery practitioners and partner agencies to ensure coordinated care and appropriate referrals.
• 5. Clinical Documentation and Governance: Maintain accurate clinical records, participate in clinical reviews and audits, follow safeguarding procedures and work in accordance with NMC standards.
• 6. Health Monitoring and Interventions: Monitor clients' physical and mental health, identify clinical concerns and elevate appropriately.
• 7. Safeguarding and Risk Management: Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, clinical deterioration and risks to clients or others.

Overall Purpose

To support individuals affected by substance misuse to access appropriate treatment, reduce harm, improve their physical and psychological health, and achieve sustained recovery.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Education and Qualifications - RGN, RMN, Evidence of completing of preceptorship or continuing personal development and post registration training in care, assessment and treatment of Mental Health and Substance Misuse Service Users.
• Experience in undertaking Risk Assessments and Risk Management, care planning

Skills and knowledge

• oGood communication skills (verbal and written) plus good levels of numeracy.
• oAbility to work autonomously and to prioritise effectively
• oAn appreciation of the range of issues that may affect substance misusers
• oAn understanding of harm minimisation and health promotion in the specific context of substance misuse
• oIT literate: competent using Microsoft Word and able to report clinical activity data on patient information systems.
• Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills
• Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach, which considers the needs of the whole person.
• Non-judgmental attitude to client group
• Committed to multidisciplinary team work Committed to User and carer involvement
• Flexible & responsive to a developing service.
• The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement the Equal and Diversity policy at a level appropriate to the job

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

New Beginnings

Willesden Centre for Health and Care -Harlesden Road

£38,488 to £46,852 a yearpa inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-D-AD-0644

Job locations

New Beginnings

Willesden Centre for Health and Care -Harlesden Road